Why do most atheists on Y!A seem so angry?

Answer 1

It seems that way. Others have observed the same thing.

For example, in a recent Newsweek article, "Is God Real?", (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17889148/site/newsweek/)

Rick Warren and Sam Harris debate the topic. In one portion of the debate, Rick Warren comments:

"WARREN: Well, I do believe in the goodness of God, and I do believe that he knows better than I do. God sometimes says yes, God sometimes says no and God sometimes says wait. I've had to learn the difference between no and not yet. The issue here really does come down to surrender. A lot of atheists hide behind rationalism; when you start probing, you find their reactions are quite emotional.
**In fact, I've never met an atheist who wasn't angry." **

(See http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17889148/site/newsweek/page/2/)

It is disappointing that a reasoned dialog between the believer and non-believer appears impossible. If we assume that science (something most non-believers appeal to) is concerned with the empirical universe and religion covers the questions of moral meaning and its value, there would be much to learn from both. This does not mean science could not examine and study what religion does, only that it cannot do what religion does.

Instead it seems that non-believers have become increasingly shrill of late, apparently hoping that saying something more loudly and more dogmatically will make it seem more credible, especially to their embattled supporters. Believers have nothing to fear from this hostile rhetoric, unpleasant through it may be. Hopelessly overstated arguments that once seemed so persuasive such as "science disproves God" have lost their credibility, becoming mindless slogans, where once they were cutting-edge ideas. Their rhetoric is about preaching to the converted, shoring up a collapsing building with rhetoric rather than rigorous argument.

Some non-believers have made a "brand" out of being angry:
http://angryatheist.blogspot.com/

Others have wisely overcome their anger:
http://www.bee.net/cardigan/attic/050601.htm
http://friendlyatheist.com/2007/03/11/why-im-not-an-angry-atheist/

Lastly, some non-believers have made a nice video about the situation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oxsPP7y2Tk

Answer 2

This will give you some closure. Everyone is effing Nuts! Christians and Atheists alike. There is this ongoing battle of who is more right and who is brighter and closer to the truth. Christians think they have the answers through christ and if you don't believe that, then you're wrong. Atheists go around telling people that the big bang happened and we're just soulless chemicals wandering around for no reason. I have met many annoying christians who won't shut up about christianity as well as many atheists who wont shut up about Richard Dawkins and how smart they are. Can't everyone just shut the hell up and stop being so arrogant and self centered? We're only on this earth for a limited time. Stop shoving your beliefs (atheists and christians) down people throats and just be a GOOD person.

Answer 3

* Why do most atheists on Y!A seem so angry? *

I have not noticed that at all. What is noticed is the damning to hell and physical threats by some of the pious folk. Just because someone disagrees with an unprovable premise
that is strongly held by the pious, that does not mean they're necessarily angry.

Answer 4

the atheists who post here are just confrontational people who happen to be atheists.

Answer 5

No one knows Homer, no one knows.